Ethel Merman/Ethel Waters

For Merman: Her 2nd Autobiography (with George Eells) and Brian Kellow's Merman book.

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Updated On: 8/27/12 at 01:26 PM

They might be the same person. Have you ever seen a picture of the two of them together?

That old joke said, there is reference to Waters in James Gavin's book on the history of cabaret in NYC. I cannot remember the book's title--something like Intimate Nights. One story in particular is very funny.

Also look for reviews of As Thousands Cheer (1930s; I think this is the revue where she sang Suppertime), Mamba's Daughter (circa 1940), and The Member of the Wedding (circa 1950); also the film Pinky.

There is plenty of information on them both, but you may have to dig.

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Waters was in the news recently.

Mike Huckabee Would Like to Remind You That Rape Has Created Some Extraordinary People

Why is everybody so down on rape? This is what Mike Huckabee wanted to know today, on his radio program, which also featured Rep. Todd "Legitimate Rape" Akin as a guest. For instance, did you know that Ethel Waters was conceived when her mother got raped? Do you know what a world without rape would look like? A world without Ethel Waters, that's what.

http://gawker.com/5936386/mike-huckabee-would-like-to-remind-you-that-rape-has-created-some-extraordinary-people

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allofmylife, I didn't know that existed! I live in LA, but I'm much too young to have been around for that.

Almira, knowing Waters' religious views, I think had her mother been afforded the option, she would have kept the baby.

Thanks for all the lovely commentary, guys!

runaways, if you want serious dramatic criticism on those women, try the Queer Studies section.

Ethel Waters was rather discreet, but I believe it's pretty well accepted that she was bisexual. Somebody should have written about this by now.

Ethel Merman was neither gay nor bisexual, but her "butch" persona was the subject of frequent jokes. You might find works that analyze her appeal to lesbian fans.

I am NOT suggesting you WRITE about the sex life of either woman (unless that is what interests you). I'm just saying that if you want serious academic analysis, you may find it in the Queer Studies section. Similarly, you will probably find serious articles about Waters in the African-American Studies section. As you probably know, academia can be a series of ghettos.

Updated On: 8/27/12 at 07:57 PM

That's the right title, Ed. I think it's a very highly regarded example of the form. For one thing, Waters had a fascinating life, full of tragedy and triumph.

Gaveston, it's interesting you bring that up. I did stumble upon a paper about Mary Martin and her sexuality. The paper insinuated that Mary Martin was bi, or perhaps a lesbian--I can't remember for sure. The subject of sexuality sounds extremely interesting and actually really shines some light on what may have lead Waters to Billy Graham's Crusade. However, the paper is on Merman and Waters and their respective contributions to American musical theater.

Gosh, it would be lovely if I had access to a physical library right now, but I'm unfortunately working miles away from my school. It's an online class and I chose to stay at home this summer. Oh, well.

I actually heard that Mary Martin paper read in San Francisco when I was presenting a paper on medieval Japanese drama. So academia is both small and ghettoized. LOL. I was thinking of that very Martin paper and wondering if someone had done something similar with Ethel Merman.

(As an erstwhile Queer Studies writer myself, I don't find speculation on the secret sexuality of others very credible. But studies of how performers were perceived by minority fans is another matter; we have lots of evidence for that.)

Again, I was never suggesting you should write about sex, only that Queer Studies papers might also have the sort of academic research you need. Since you aren't near a library, keep googling. No telling what you may find.

(I looked through a couple of volumes I have on gay theatrical artists, but they don't discuss Ethel Waters. I'm a little embarrassed. I should have demanded that she be included when I was writing entries on other artists, but I assumed--wrongly as it turns out--that one of the African-American scholars would do so.)

Updated On: 8/27/12 at 08:49 PM

One of the characters in Lynn Nottage's play, 'BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK" is clearly based on Ethel Waters - the singing actress who went from sexy young diva (As Thousands Cheer)to heavy-set matron playing mothers and maids (Member of the Wedding).

By the way, my mother had the honor of appearing in summer stock with Miss Waters in MEMBER OF THE WEDDING in 1954.

You can't say that the faith of someone like Ethel Waters was a cover. It was as intrinsic as was her sexuality or her race.



In the clip below, from Member of the Wedding, Ethel Waters sings 'His Eye Is on the Sparrow' to Julie Harris and Brandon DeWilde

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Isn't that what I said, joey? It's certainly what I meant to say, though I readily admit you said it more clearly.

Frankly and though our culture has long been obsessed with the sexuality of gay men, it has tended to ignore lesbians. Women's lives outside the world of men was not, until lately, a subject of much concern.

So I doubt Waters needed a "cover". And I have no reason to question her religious devotion.

Ethel Merman, about Mary Martin: "Dyke, ya'know"

How 'bout that time the Merm was caught making out on a couch with Jackie Susann?

Updated On: 8/27/12 at 11:22 PM